This Irish county has been declared the most haunted in Ireland ~ March 20, 2018

Any brave souls hoping to encounter a genuine scare should head to Co Offaly after the region was declared the most haunted in Ireland.

Paranormal investigators have even labeled the Midlands county, noted for its eerie castles, one of the spookiest areas in Europe.

Irish Ghost Hunters chief Tim Kelly said paranormal activity is particularly strong in the three ancient castles which make up the famous “haunted triangle,” namely, Kinnitty, Leap, and Charleville.

The Dublin-based spectre detector said: “There’s no doubt in my mind Co Offaly is the most haunted in Ireland.

“Over the years we’ve conducted hundreds and hundreds of investigations, and there’s something about it, particularly the energy around that haunted triangle.”

Recalling an overnight poltergeist probe in Kinnitty Castle – which is a popular four-star hotel – the 49-year-old said: “When I was leaving one of the big old rooms there I suddenly heard my name being whispered.

“There was one other investigator with me at the time, and before I had the chance to say anything, he turned and said, ‘I’ve just heard your name being called.’”

He also noted the paranormal activity at Hellfire Club in the Dublin Mountains and Wicklow Gaol.

Tim said: “Over the years we’ve probably done more than 100 investigations at Wicklow Gaol, and probably every second or third visit we’d pick up something, which is not surprising given all the cruelty, suffering and death.

“I don’t like the atmosphere in the Hellfire Club. We’ve done five or six investigations. It’s not somewhere I particularly want to return to.”

Tim – who also works as a radio presenter – now hopes to conduct an investigation at Dublin’s
Shelbourne Hotel with his team.

One of the rooms in the five-star retreat is said to be haunted by the ghost of Mary Masters, a seven-year-old who died of cholera in 1791.

I want to visit leap castle so bad, it's on my list of things to do before I die. My dads wanting me to go to England with him next year, but I really want to go to Ireland. I heard leap has had several paranormal and demonic happenings there. With my history, I'm sure if it's there, I'll experience it.